New nightclub for 'over 30s' to transform derelict Worcester building

ONE of Worcester's most rundown buildings is to be transformed into a new nightclub - with up to 50 jobs being created.

The former Images nightspot, located in The Butts opposite The Hive, is to become a new Mamma Jammas club aimed at the over 30s.

The city council's licensing sub-committee gave the plan the green light yesterday after three hours of debate despite fierce objections from West Mercia Police, which insisted it would increase crime.

But the panel won over by businessman Jonathan Jones, who runs a Mamma Jammas in Hereford and has vowed to create a building "Worcester can be proud of".

He says he wants to market the club at the older age range, calling it a "real ale" nightspot for people who "listen to Radio 2" and want to have a drink and dance, particularly those in their forties and fifties.

He insisted the venue would not be aimed at students, and will bring a new offer to Worcester's existing nightlife.

A special sub-committee meeting was held at the Guildhall after objections from the police, environmental health on noise grounds, and from Dean Hill who runs Tramps and Velvet Lounge.

Sergeant John Lawrence, part of the city centre policing team, said when the building last became empty in February 2012 after Funk nightclub closed down crime dropped steadily.

He said alcohol related incidents "in the vicinity" fell 25 per cent, adding: "There is clear evidence that having a nightclub at this location leads to an increase in crime."

But Mr Jones said: "We'll be a nightclub that sells real ale rather than shooters and shots - our customer base is older and that's how I like it."

It is expected to open before the end of the year and will have a licence to trade until 4am on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as 3am the rest of the week.

At the end of the meeting Councillor Roger Knight, who was chairing it, said: "The building has been a concern to us for quite some time, it's been empty for quite a while and it's right opposite The Hive, which is iconic, the only facility of its kind in Europe.

"We want the building improved so it's something we can be proud of, not something we cringe about - we implore you to excel in that."

Mr Jones said he was aiming to restore the building to its former glories.

Comments

Sounds a little desperate... an over '30s Club', didn't most other cities more on from such a concept (and the Over 21, and Over 40's clubs) in the 1980's?

Sounds a little desperate... an over '30s Club', didn't most other cities more on from such a concept (and the Over 21, and Over 40's clubs) in the 1980's?Small Town

Sounds a little desperate... an over '30s Club', didn't most other cities more on from such a concept (and the Over 21, and Over 40's clubs) in the 1980's?

Score: -23

its all spin
4:39pm Tue 8 Jul 14

If he gets rid of that depressing battleship grey exterior it will be a start, hopefully it will be a success, getting support from the 40s-50s age group clubbers and not degenerate into the grotty dive that it once was.

If he gets rid of that depressing battleship grey exterior it will be a start, hopefully it will be a success, getting support from the 40s-50s age group clubbers and not degenerate into the grotty dive that it once was.its all spin

If he gets rid of that depressing battleship grey exterior it will be a start, hopefully it will be a success, getting support from the 40s-50s age group clubbers and not degenerate into the grotty dive that it once was.

Score: 30

brooksider
5:45pm Tue 8 Jul 14

Good luck to him, as long as he doesn't do a runner with other peoples money like the last bloke.

Good luck to him, as long as he doesn't do a runner with other peoples money like the last bloke.brooksider

Good luck to him, as long as he doesn't do a runner with other peoples money like the last bloke.

Score: 22

Perfman
1:25am Wed 9 Jul 14

Small Town wrote…

Sounds a little desperate... an over '30s Club', didn't most other cities more on from such a concept (and the Over 21, and Over 40's clubs) in the 1980's?

And again using English!

[quote][p][bold]Small Town[/bold] wrote:
Sounds a little desperate... an over '30s Club', didn't most other cities more on from such a concept (and the Over 21, and Over 40's clubs) in the 1980's?[/p][/quote]And again using English!Perfman

Small Town wrote…

Sounds a little desperate... an over '30s Club', didn't most other cities more on from such a concept (and the Over 21, and Over 40's clubs) in the 1980's?

And again using English!

Score: 8

Marigoldtearooms
6:49am Wed 9 Jul 14

I'm sure the owner doesnt give a hoot if pensioners are coming through the door as long as cash is coming through the till.

I'm sure the owner doesnt give a hoot if pensioners are coming through the door as long as cash is coming through the till.Marigoldtearooms

I'm sure the owner doesnt give a hoot if pensioners are coming through the door as long as cash is coming through the till.

Score: 4

WorcsBornandBred
7:27am Wed 9 Jul 14

It's a great building and it's nice to see someone willing to invest. However, I am bang on 30, and I can tell you now, the business model is all wrong in my opinion!

It's a great building and it's nice to see someone willing to invest. However, I am bang on 30, and I can tell you now, the business model is all wrong in my opinion!WorcsBornandBred

It's a great building and it's nice to see someone willing to invest. However, I am bang on 30, and I can tell you now, the business model is all wrong in my opinion!

Score: -2

lotusfaery
10:41am Wed 9 Jul 14

What a brilliant idea. It is so hard to find a place open past 12/1am on a weekend night that isn't full of teenagers or people in their early 20's. Working in the education sector, I am conscious that I will bump into students from my workplace, but having an over 30's club will reduce that worry. I am guessing that people under 30 will be able to go though? Like when the Marrs Bars did their Over 30's night? I do have a few friends that haven't quite hit the Big Three Zero yet! Real Ale is also a good selling point, but no shots is a little daft! People above 30 still enjoy drinking shots! And does that mean that if shots aren't available, then spirits won't be available either? Or will there be a rule you have to drink a spirit with a mixer? I only drink spirits! Oh, the dilemma!
I also hope they have a rock night. When I was made redundant a few years back I did consider starting up a business at that premises as a Rock club and small live music venue. It will be nice to see a club for over 30s hosting an array of evenings, not just pop/chart music.

What a brilliant idea. It is so hard to find a place open past 12/1am on a weekend night that isn't full of teenagers or people in their early 20's. Working in the education sector, I am conscious that I will bump into students from my workplace, but having an over 30's club will reduce that worry. I am guessing that people under 30 will be able to go though? Like when the Marrs Bars did their Over 30's night? I do have a few friends that haven't quite hit the Big Three Zero yet! Real Ale is also a good selling point, but no shots is a little daft! People above 30 still enjoy drinking shots! And does that mean that if shots aren't available, then spirits won't be available either? Or will there be a rule you have to drink a spirit with a mixer? I only drink spirits! Oh, the dilemma!
I also hope they have a rock night. When I was made redundant a few years back I did consider starting up a business at that premises as a Rock club and small live music venue. It will be nice to see a club for over 30s hosting an array of evenings, not just pop/chart music.lotusfaery

What a brilliant idea. It is so hard to find a place open past 12/1am on a weekend night that isn't full of teenagers or people in their early 20's. Working in the education sector, I am conscious that I will bump into students from my workplace, but having an over 30's club will reduce that worry. I am guessing that people under 30 will be able to go though? Like when the Marrs Bars did their Over 30's night? I do have a few friends that haven't quite hit the Big Three Zero yet! Real Ale is also a good selling point, but no shots is a little daft! People above 30 still enjoy drinking shots! And does that mean that if shots aren't available, then spirits won't be available either? Or will there be a rule you have to drink a spirit with a mixer? I only drink spirits! Oh, the dilemma!
I also hope they have a rock night. When I was made redundant a few years back I did consider starting up a business at that premises as a Rock club and small live music venue. It will be nice to see a club for over 30s hosting an array of evenings, not just pop/chart music.

Score: 30

iamthebinman
11:59am Wed 9 Jul 14

WorcsBornandBred wrote…

It's a great building and it's nice to see someone willing to invest. However, I am bang on 30, and I can tell you now, the business model is all wrong in my opinion!

I agree. You have to be very confident in your market if you want to exclude such a massive percentage of the late night market.

[quote][p][bold]WorcsBornandBred[/bold] wrote:
It's a great building and it's nice to see someone willing to invest. However, I am bang on 30, and I can tell you now, the business model is all wrong in my opinion![/p][/quote]I agree. You have to be very confident in your market if you want to exclude such a massive percentage of the late night market.iamthebinman

WorcsBornandBred wrote…

It's a great building and it's nice to see someone willing to invest. However, I am bang on 30, and I can tell you now, the business model is all wrong in my opinion!

I agree. You have to be very confident in your market if you want to exclude such a massive percentage of the late night market.

Score: 2

thesquirrel
3:17pm Wed 9 Jul 14

Worcester lacks a decent venue for grown-ups after the pubs all close at midnight. Hopefully this will fill the gap. Not sure why the owner of Tramps would object though.

Worcester lacks a decent venue for grown-ups after the pubs all close at midnight. Hopefully this will fill the gap. Not sure why the owner of Tramps would object though.thesquirrel

Worcester lacks a decent venue for grown-ups after the pubs all close at midnight. Hopefully this will fill the gap. Not sure why the owner of Tramps would object though.

Score: 15

garysparrow
7:28pm Wed 9 Jul 14

Sounds a great idea, I'll be there straight away, tho not all over 30's listen to radio 2, I prefer my underground music like 90's dance and jungle

Sounds a great idea, I'll be there straight away, tho not all over 30's listen to radio 2, I prefer my underground music like 90's dance and junglegarysparrow

Sounds a great idea, I'll be there straight away, tho not all over 30's listen to radio 2, I prefer my underground music like 90's dance and jungle

Score: 13

The Villan
12:28am Thu 10 Jul 14

thesquirrel wrote…

Worcester lacks a decent venue for grown-ups after the pubs all close at midnight. Hopefully this will fill the gap. Not sure why the owner of Tramps would object though.

Because the money from this opening won't be going in his tills.

[quote][p][bold]thesquirrel[/bold] wrote:
Worcester lacks a decent venue for grown-ups after the pubs all close at midnight. Hopefully this will fill the gap. Not sure why the owner of Tramps would object though.[/p][/quote]Because the money from this opening won't be going in his tills.The Villan

thesquirrel wrote…

Worcester lacks a decent venue for grown-ups after the pubs all close at midnight. Hopefully this will fill the gap. Not sure why the owner of Tramps would object though.

Because the money from this opening won't be going in his tills.

Score: 11

lulu lilly
7:37am Thu 10 Jul 14

The night clubs in Worcester are shocking!! All targeted at one clientele with no variety for a varied music taste. I would welcome somewhere else to look forward to on my occasional night out that didn't include the limited, tacky night clubs that Worcester currently offer!!

The night clubs in Worcester are shocking!! All targeted at one clientele with no variety for a varied music taste. I would welcome somewhere else to look forward to on my occasional night out that didn't include the limited, tacky night clubs that Worcester currently offer!!lulu lilly

The night clubs in Worcester are shocking!! All targeted at one clientele with no variety for a varied music taste. I would welcome somewhere else to look forward to on my occasional night out that didn't include the limited, tacky night clubs that Worcester currently offer!!

Score: 14

Alexandra17
4:15pm Fri 11 Jul 14

thesquirrel wrote…

Worcester lacks a decent venue for grown-ups after the pubs all close at midnight. Hopefully this will fill the gap. Not sure why the owner of Tramps would object though.

In all likelihood this is because he is what you in England call "a knob"...

[quote][p][bold]thesquirrel[/bold] wrote:
Worcester lacks a decent venue for grown-ups after the pubs all close at midnight. Hopefully this will fill the gap. Not sure why the owner of Tramps would object though.[/p][/quote]In all likelihood this is because he is what you in England call "a knob"...Alexandra17

thesquirrel wrote…

Worcester lacks a decent venue for grown-ups after the pubs all close at midnight. Hopefully this will fill the gap. Not sure why the owner of Tramps would object though.

In all likelihood this is because he is what you in England call "a knob"...

Score: 9

worcestersfinest
8:54pm Fri 11 Jul 14

What about drummonds?

What about drummonds?worcestersfinest

What about drummonds?

Score: 0

Chronos
12:05am Sat 12 Jul 14

Oh bugger...

Looks like I'll need a proof of age ID to gain admission.

I'm 52, but I look 29¾.

Oh bugger...
Looks like I'll need a proof of age ID to gain admission.
I'm 52, but I look 29¾.Chronos

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